Zoning Board Rejects Kennel Variance for Sole Dog Officer Applicant, Leaving Animal Control Post Vacant—September 14, 1974

The town’s animal control vacancy deepened into a full-scale administrative crisis this week as the Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously voted Tuesday to reject a variance petition from the position’s sole applicant to construct commercial kennels on his Railroad Avenue property.

Kennel Variance Denied Amid Neighborhood Opposition

Paul M. Treeful, the only resident to submit a written proposal answering the town manager’s recruitment request for the municipal dog officer post, had petitioned the appeals board for a zoning variance to operate a commercial kennel within a residential zone. However, board clerk Joan Geraghty reported that members weighed heavy, organized opposition from Treeful’s neighbors before voting down the application unanimously.

The denial leaves the town’s animal control operations in limbo following a protracted dispute involving longtime dog officer Angelo Iodice. Iodice has been off the municipal payroll since May 23 following a disagreement over his town-provided vehicle—an aging police cruiser that suffered mechanical breakdowns. When the vehicle became inoperable, Iodice reportedly failed to notify the town manager while ceasing to respond to citizen calls.

Iodice has steadfastly maintained that, as a sworn dog officer serving a fixed one-year appointment, he cannot be unilaterally removed from his position. He has retained legal counsel to contest the town manager’s administrative actions and defend his tenure.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger